Police Arrest Clergyman, Two Military Personnel Over Alleged Kidnap Plot in Plateau

The Plateau State Police Command has arrested a clergyman and two military personnel over an alleged plot to kidnap the wives of two prominent bishops in Jos.

The suspects were arrested on August 7, 2026, following intelligence received by the police concerning an alleged criminal conspiracy and a foiled kidnapping attempt.

Sources within the command said the suspects were apprehended at about 2:10 p.m. during an operation coordinated by the Vigilance and Criminal Response Unit (VCRU).

The police identified the clergyman as Rev. Hassan Yunisim Mijah, 42, of Tudun Wada, Jos North.

The other suspects were identified as Sgt. Ezra Sunday, a personnel of the Nigerian Air Force, and OS Usman Khalid, a Nigerian Navy personnel. Both were reportedly attached to Sector 1 of Operation ENDURING PEACE (OPEP) in Jos.

According to the police, Mijah allegedly conspired with the two military personnel to kidnap the wives of Bishop Ephraim Gongden and retired Bishop Benjamin Kwashi, who reportedly reside in the Rantya area of Jos South Local Government Area.

Following receipt of the intelligence, operatives of the VCRU, led by the unit’s commander, commenced an investigation and surveillance operation that culminated in the arrest of the three suspects.

The command said the suspects allegedly made confessional statements during interrogation.

“On interrogation, suspects confessed to the crime,” the police said.

The Plateau Police Command added that OPEP had been formally notified of the arrest of the two military personnel attached to the operation.

The command said investigation was ongoing to establish the full circumstances surrounding the alleged conspiracy and identify and apprehend other individuals who may be connected to the suspected criminal network.

Authorities reiterated their commitment to preventing kidnapping and other violent crimes in the state, while urging residents to remain vigilant and provide security agencies with credible information on suspicious activities.